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The Serrano Report - Volume XVI, Issue #20

Oct 3, 2017

The Serrano Report

In Washington, DC

Congressman Serrano Fight for Puerto Rico In the Aftermath of Hurricane Maria

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria’s passage through Puerto Rico two weeks ago, Congressman Serrano has been calling for more attention and allocation of resources to alleviate and address the island’s ongoing crisis. As a Senior member of the Appropriations committee, he has been calling for the allocation of robust funding in a number of key areas. Immediately after the Hurricane, Congressman Serrano led a bipartisan letter urging President Trump to create a Reconstruction Task Force that mirrors the Hurricane Sandy Task Force set up a few years ago after Hurricane Sandy.

Last Thursday, Congressman Serrano sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services to urge them do more to combat the emerging health crisis in Puerto Rico. The island is out of safe drinking water, electricity and the food is scarce.

On Friday, Congressman Serrano led a letter supported by 50 Members of Congress urging President Trump urging to deploy all available federal assets and agencies to rebuild the communications infrastructure of Puerto Rico. The island has failing infrastructure that needs to be addressed immediately to aid with recovery efforts.

Last weekend, Congressman Serrano joined New York Governor Andrew Cuomo , local New York City elected officials, and Jennifer Lopez at the Javits Center in New York to reaffirm the state’s commitment to helping Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Govenor Cuomo announced a statewide partnership to aid the island and Jennifer Lopez announced a $1 million donation. As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, Congressman Serrano will continue to fight for a comprehensive aid package to help the island face this crisis.

Congressman Serrano Meets with New York National Guard

Last week, Congressman Serrano and New York State Senator Serrano met with members of the New York National Guard who have been very involved in the recovery efforts for Puerto Rico.

Last Monday, Congressman José E. Serrano and Legal Services NYC announced that Project Not Alone, a collaborative effort between Bronx Legal Services and Sauti Yetu Center for African Women & Families, has been awarded a competitive grant for continued funding to provide holistic legal and social services for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking in the Bronx. The funding, $600,000 over three years, was awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women’s Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) Grant Program.

“Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault need comprehensive help and support, something that can be a challenge in immigrant communities. This federal grant from the Department of Justice will allow Bronx Legal Services and the Sauti Yetu Center for African Women & Families to continue their collaborative effort, Project Not Alone, a groundbreaking program that provides immigrant women from Spanish-speaking and African communities in the Bronx with access to the legal assistance, social services, and other support in the wake of domestic violence,” said Congressman Serrano.

Congressman Serrano attended New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s The Bronx is Back event where a $10million grant was awarded to the Bronx for the revitalization of the borough. Elected officials from all over the Bronx, including Congressman Serrano, were in attendance.

Congressman Serrano with Governor Cuomo and other elected officials from the Bronx. (9/22/2017)

Last week, Congressman Serrano was joined by Former Mayor David Dinkins; Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.; New York State Senator Gustavo Rivera; New York State Assemblyman Victor Pichardo; Councilmember Vanessa L. Gibson; and Bronx Postmaster Lilliam Rodriguez for the renaming ceremony of the Morris Heights Post Office, located at 2024 Jerome Avenue, in honor of Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. The renaming was made possible thanks to Congressman Serrano and other members of the NY Delegation efforts in Congress last year. In September 2016, Congressman Serrano along with Congressmen Charles Rangel, Eliot Engel, and the rest of the delegation in the House of Representatives introduced legislation to rename the post office after the former Tuskegee Airman and Bronx Community College President Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. The bill was approved in the Senate at the end of the year, and signed into law by President Obama.

“Dr. Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. dedicated his life to serving his country and helping others achieve greater opportunities – he was an African-American trailblazer, a hero in every sense of the word, and a source of pride for all. His valiant service in the armed forces during WWII as a Tuskegee Airman, along with his later work as a civil rights leader and educator, strengthened our country, and made it a better place for all Americans. By renaming the Morris Heights Post Office in his honor we have ensured his life and legacy is rightly honored and remembered for generations to come. I want to thank everyone who joined me today to unveil the renamed post office and all the members of the New York Congressional delegation who supported my legislation, which made this honor possible,” said Congressman Serrano.

Congressman Serrano attends Ground Breaking of the Concourse Village West Apartments in the Bronx

Congressman Serrano joined Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., City Council Member Salamanca, and Community Board 4 to break ground a new affordable housing complex with 264 units. The Concourse Village West Apartments will provide much needed affordable housing relief to the community.

Congressman Serrano welcomed the first class of students enrolled in Cognizant's technology jobs training program designed to help New Yorkers access career opportunities in the growing IT, digital and tech sectors. The new state-of-the-art technology training facility in the South Bronx was launched thanks in part to public and private investment including support from Per Scholas and Empire State Development. Cognizant is a Fortune 500 company and a global leader in business, digital and technology services, and one of the largest employers of STEM professionals in the United States.